It's a beautiful day today. Bright blue skies and 25 degrees as forecasted.
There's a bright blue tarp covering the peach...SM's last minute attempt to salvage the blooms.
Yesterday was spent hauling and shoveling compost into the raised beds. We hadn't done that in a few years and the existing soil had compacted down about a foot in some of the beds.
Not too far from where we live is Tarheel Bark. They bag up all sorts of mulch and soils and gravels and ship them to the big box stores like Lowes. Fortunately for us, they also sell direct to the public and we've used them for years taking our pickup for them to fill and hauling back all sorts of goodies.
I was super pleased yesterday when SM and I placed our order to see that they are now selling mushroom compost in bulk! We bought 2 yards of the good stuff and I couldn't be more pleased.
Over the years, weed seed had blown into the raised beds and (even though I pulled them out) I decided to place a layer of cardboard on top of the existing soil to act as a weed block. Then SM and I tossed the mushroom compost on top of that.
Two yards filled all five beds nicely and we'll use whats left over today when SM transplant the grapes to a new location where we'll also build an arbor.
Standing back, I have to say that one of the best things about Spring is the promise it brings. I look at that blue sky and those beds filled with rich compost and it fills me with contentment.
Yes, it's work that most folks would pass on.
Why garden when there's a market down the street?
Why have flowers growing in your yard when the TV's on?
Why have a place to sit in the shade on a hot day when the air conditioner's on?
I hated gardening when I was a kid.
Now, all I want to do is be outside, play in the dirt, plant some flowers, pull some weeds.
I'm so glad I'm in a position where can indulge this desire.
This hobby of mine is time consuming and expensive.
But it's one of the best things in my life.
I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Yay for all dyed-in-the-wool gardeners! Do you know that supposedly it's been shown that the very most nutritious food you can put in your body is that grown right where you live? In other words, that carrot than came from California or Mexico won't supply the same nutrients for your body that the one you grow in your own back yard will. Now THAT'S another really, really good reason to garden in my book.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are lovely. Did the peach blossoms survive?
I love this time of the year when my garden is a blank slate. It feels good to get out and work a but instead of sitting in the house thinking about all there is to be done.
ReplyDeleteOh snap! I was so worried about the few things we'd managed to plant in the gardens that I didn't even think about the fruit trees. It was 21 here so it's possible we won't have any apples or pears this year. Wish I'd had enough sense to cover ours.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. Gardening is time-consuming, but it's one of the most beneficial ways of spending that time. Being able to feed yourself (and others), and creating a beautiful wildlife habitat are rewarding pursuits. Your beds look fabulous. Hoping the best for your peach tree! Enjoy the wonders of spring.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a seesaw of a spring so far. We haven't seen enough bare ground to even contemplate gardening - I can't see my raised beds yet. But the sun is higher and warmer - a good thing. I hope your peach blossoms were saved!
ReplyDeleteI too get such a kick out of eating stuff that I have grown. Also, for the past three years, I have canned tomatoes. Unfortunately, our garden does not produce enough for this so I use seconds from the farmer's market. In the middle of winter there's nothing better! I think I only have two pint jars left. All the quarts are gone.
ReplyDeleteIt's been too wet and cold here in northern Virginia to empty out our composter yet but I have been collecting cardboard boxes all winter. We are going to try to tame another section of the backyard. I got the inspiration from you and it has worked really well. Thank you! I don't remember if you do this, but we spray the ground with a mixture of vinegar, Epsom salts, and dawn dish soap. This works as a great weed killer.